Joy Agwunobi 

Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is facing one of its most severe operational threats in recent years, as a diesel supply blockade by oil and gas workers jeopardises the functioning of thousands of critical communications sites across the country.

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has warned that the action could trigger a nationwide communications blackout, cutting off mobile, internet, banking, emergency, and security services relied upon by millions of Nigerians.

A statement signed by  Gbenga Adebayo, the  chairman of the association,disclosed that members of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) have blocked access to diesel loading depots in Kaduna, Lagos, and Koko, Delta State. The action, the association said, has created an artificial scarcity of diesel and halted supply to thousands of telecommunications sites operated by IHS Towers — one of ALTON’s largest members.

The dispute, according to ALTON, stems from allegations by IHS Towers that two NOGASA member companies were involved in diesel misappropriation, a matter reportedly under investigation by relevant authorities. While ALTON maintains that it does not intervene directly in disputes between its members and third parties, it expressed grave concern over the wider implications of the blockade for national infrastructure, public safety, and economic stability.

The affected sites, numbering about 16,000, are not only central to mobile and internet connectivity for tens of millions of Nigerians but also support essential national services. These include digital banking transactions, hospital communications, emergency response systems, and security operations. Any extended shutdown, ALTON warned, could cripple service delivery across the country.

“These sites not only power mobile and internet services for millions of Nigerians,” Adebayo said, “but also support essential services such as banking transactions, hospital communications, emergency response systems, and national security operations. Disrupting them puts the entire country at risk.”

Adebayo stressed that disputes of this nature should be resolved through lawful dialogue rather than “brigandage or brute force,” cautioning that the diesel blockade constitutes a direct threat to Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) — a category of assets protected under Nigerian law.

“We recognise and deeply respect the vital role NOGASA and NUPENG have played in sustaining Nigeria’s energy supply chain and supporting national development over the years,” Adebayo said. “However, their actions must not jeopardise critical national infrastructure or public welfare.”

ALTON has appealed to the leadership of NUPENG and NOGASA to urgently call their members to order and grant uninterrupted access to diesel depots, while urging relevant authorities — including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) — to step in before the situation spirals into a full-scale blackout.

The diesel supply crisis adds to a growing list of threats confronting Nigeria’s telecom sector,Industry data shows that telecom sites consume an average of 40 million litres of diesel monthly to operate over 53,000 base stations nationwide. With each site typically requiring two generators, operators spend an estimated $350 million annually on diesel — costs that are around 37 percent higher in rural and off-grid areas where grid power is unavailable.

Rising fuel costs are only part of the challenge. The sector is also grappling with escalating infrastructure vandalism and theft. Recent NCC data reveals that, in 2025 alone, over 35,000 fibre optic cuts and 3,168 theft-related incidents have been recorded, with an average of 1,100 fibre cuts occurring every week. These are often caused by construction activities, deliberate sabotage, and theft of network equipment.

The sabotage trend is compounded by around 545 weekly cases of site access denial and 99 incidents of theft, further eroding service quality and undermining the resilience of the country’s digital infrastructure. The consequences extend beyond consumer inconvenience, threatening Nigeria’s broadband expansion targets and its broader digital inclusion agenda, particularly in underserved communities.

Industry’s push for sustainable alternatives

Faced with these mounting operational pressures, major telecom operators such as MTN and Airtel are accelerating plans to reduce dependence on diesel by deploying hybrid energy systems. These solutions — combining solar panels with lithium battery storage — are projected to cut operating costs by between 30 and 50 percent, according to estimates from the NCC and the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA). They also promise a significant reduction in carbon emissions, aligning with global sustainability goals.

However, while these initiatives hold long-term promise, the immediate crisis demands urgent intervention. ALTON insists that uninterrupted power supply to telecom sites is non-negotiable given their integral role in national life, stressing that any prolonged diesel shortage could have cascading effects on the economy, national security, and public safety.

The warning from ALTON underscores the fragility of Nigeria’s telecommunications backbone and its vulnerability to disruptions in other sectors, particularly the petroleum supply chain. With the country’s 200 million-plus mobile subscribers relying daily on voice, data, and digital services, the blockade is more than an industry dispute — it is a direct challenge to Nigeria’s digital and economic stability.